ARLINGTON, VA – NatureServe, a non-profit conservation organization, has appointed Miguel Fernandez, Ph.D. as its new Director, Latin America and the Caribbean. Miguel’s connection with nature started when he was working in the Bolivian Amazon as an eco-tour guide. He enjoys spending his spare time traveling to remote places in Bolivia where he is an avid biodiversity photographer. When asked about his favorite species, he states, “Most definitely black caimans (Melanosuchus niger). Paddling through an Amazonian river at night in a canoe is something you need to experience to fall in love with nature. Dealing with the extreme heat, high humidity, and the bloodthirsty mosquitos while searching for the red glow of the black caiman eyes is a humbling experience.”

Miguel earned his Master’s degree from San Francisco State University in Geography and his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, where he later led the implementation of a geospatial data management solution for the Redwoods and Climate Change Program. His background includes positions at the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) in Germany, where he served as the lead developer of the Essential Biodiversity Variables, a framework concept, currently being applied in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, as a guiding principle for national monitoring initiatives. As a team leader at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Miguel pushed the formulation of a new set of environmental regulations forward for mining and petroleum activities in South America. In addition, he has also held positions in international commissions and scientific advisory panels, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Intergovernmental science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

In his current position at NatureServe, Miguel will help NatureServe ensure that the Network Programs in the Latin America and Caribbean regions are actively engaged in regional and global strategic alliances and fully participating in the NatureServe Network. His key activities will include identifying and cultivating clients, creating funding opportunities, and co-developing collaborative projects.

Lori Scott, Interim President & CEO at NatureServe states, “We are thrilled to welcome Miguel to the NatureServe family! He is a key asset in NatureServe’s mission, and will help to deliver science that guides conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean.”